Rotisserie rack having means for disengaging the drive motor



Aug. 13, 1963 R. A. MoBLEY, JR 3,100,435

ROTISSERIE RACK HAVING MEANS FOR DISENGGING THE DRIVE MOTOR I IHII Il' www' ,L

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Allg- 13, 1963 R. A. MOBLEY, JR 3,100,435

ROTISSERIE RACK HAVING MEANS FOR DISENGAGING THE DRIVE MOTOR Filed March 8, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 13, 1963 R, A. MOBLEY, JR 3,100,435,

RoTI'ssERIE RACK HAVING MEANS RoR DISENGAGING THE DRIVE MoToR Filed Maron 8, 1961 V :s sheets-sheet s vUnited States Patent 3,199,435 RTISSERIE RACK HAVING MEANS FOR DIS- ENGAGING THE DRIVE MQTR l Ray Alven Mobley, Jr., Hamilton, Ohio, assigner to Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 8, 1961, Ser. No. 94,321 8 Qlams. (Cl. 99-421) This invention relates to food supporting apparatus for supporting food during a cooking operation.

The invention here relates especially to a food supporting apparatus such as a rotisserie for supporting food in la cooking unit such as the broiler of a kitchen stove. The food engaging member such as the broiler spit is rotatable and is normally rotated by a driving means during the cooking operation.

One of the features of this invention is to provide an improved food supporting apparatus such as a rotisserie which can be partially withdrawn from a cooking space such as a stove broiler for inserting the uncooked food or removing the cooked food so as to alleviate the danger of accidental injury to the operator and which when in position provides means for moving the rotatable food engaging member such as the rotisserie spit into driving engagement with a driving means.

Other yadvantages of the'invention will be apparent yfrom the following description of one embodiment thereof taken inconjunction with -the accompanying drawings. Of the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary front elevational View of the broiling section of a cooking stove with certain portions omitted for clarity of illustration. n

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the interior of the broiling section of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing the parts of the rotisserie in a diiferent position from similar parts in FIGURE l.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevation-al view taken substantially along the line 4 4 of FIGURES 1 and 5.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional elevational View taken sub'- stantially -along the line 5 5 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional elevational view taken -substantially along the line 6 6 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a view similar t-o FIGURE 6 but showing Athe apparatus partially withdrawn from the cooking space.

In ythe embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated la cooking unit such las an electric ran-ge 14) having a pair of opposite side walls 11 and 1-2, la rear wall` 13 and a top wall 14 and a bottom wall 15 defining a cooking space 16 which, `as illustrated, is the interior of lan oven which may be used as a broiler. The space 16 is heated by means tof an electric broil unit 17 held adjacent the -top wall 14 by a bracket 1S.

Side wall 11 has attached thereto live vertically spaced horizontally extending wire supports 19, 20', 21, 22 and 23 which are adapted to cooperate with similar `supports 19-23 on the opposite side wall 12 for supporting wire shelves (no-t shown) which in turn support food during the normal baking operation of the oven. Each set of side wire supports 19-23 is provided with a vertical wire 24 attached to the supports 19-23 adjacent the rear ends thereof and spaced from the side walls 11 and 12.

Adapted -to be supported on the second from the top Wire supports 20 is -a rotisserie structure 25 embodying the invention. This rotisserie structure includes a wire frame 26 having side members 27 and 2S adjacent the side walls 11 and 12 respectively. The frame also in- Patented Aug. 13, 1963 26 have their ends extending -beyond the wire supports 20 and with the frame lside 4members 27 and 28 located inwardly of the wire supports 20 so that the lframe 26 is retained in position on the wire supports 20. As can be seen, .the sid-e members 27-30 of theV frame 26 are merely sides of a continuous wire yframe 26 and each side member 27 and 28 of this `frame is provided with a downwardly bent portion 32 having a relatively straight front 33 and `a sloped back 34 with each bent portion 32 being located adjacent the rear of the frame. In addition, the opposite ends -of the rear member 29 of the wire frame 26 have Welded thereto downwardly and outwardly extending Lashaped stops 35 also made of Wire.l When the fname `26 is in position, `these stops 35 are forwardly of the vertical wires 24 and in contact therewith so that the stops 35 striking the wires 24 serve to limit the extent of rearward movement of the -frame 26 landrto correctly 4align the spit 38 with socket y451* of the electric motor and gear box 48. The forward movement of the frame 26 is limited-by the fronts 33 of the bent portion 32 striking the fronts 36 of the wire supports 20, as illustrated in FIGURE 7. Y

The side member 23 of .the wire frame 26 is provided with a generally U-shaped portion 37 which extends in- Y wardly and downwardly to provide a support for the right-hand end of the spit 38. This spit is octagonal in order to support food such as` meat illustrated diagrammatically at 39.

' The opposite end of -the spit 38 is supported by a wire lever 4t) that has one `end riveted yat 41 to the rear side member 29 of the wire frame 26 so -as to be oscilla-table in a generally horizontal plane. The forward end of this -lever 40 extends across the -top of the front frame side member 30 and is retained in two positions by means of depressions 42 and 43 in the forward side member 30. 'Ilhis forward end of the lever 40r is provided with a handle portion r4d (FIGURE 4). The lever is also provided with -a downwardly bentU-shvaped portion 45 'that is laterally aligned with the portion 47 soi las Ito hold rotatably the other end of the spit 33. This spit is provided with a pair j of collars 46 attached thereto `on opposite sides` of the Wire portion 45 so that lateral oscillation vof the lever 40 will cause longitudinal movement of the spit 38 with the righthand end of -the spit as v-iewed yin FIGURE 1 sliding in the U-shaped portion or loop 37. Located in a cavity l47 in the sidewall 12 is an electric motor and vgear box 48 having a socket y49 for Yreceiving the driving end 50 of `the spit 38..

When the rotisserie structure 25 is in its normal operating position within the 'cooking space 16, as illustrated in all iigures of the drawings except FIGURES 3, 4,

and 7, the stops 35 are vagainst the rear vertical Wires 24 and the lever 49 is in engagement with the first depression 42. so that the driving end'50 of the spit 38 is in driv- Y A vrside supportsY 2li,

Thereupon, the housewife, Y can pull the frame 26 forwardly to the broken line position of FIGURE Where the bent portions or stops 32 in the side Wires Z7 and ZS engage-the front Z6 of supports 20. As is shown by the broken line position of FIGURES, the spit 3S witl'i food thereon may thereuponV ,bepeasily` lifted from Athe frame 26, as in this position Ythe spit is substantially within the access opening 31 to the Vcoolringspace 16. f The frame 26 will not be accidentally dislodged from'the side supports, even in lthis position, as'tlleV tvvo wires of the rear stops 35 extend beneath the f When the oven is tobe used .for tbenormal bakingY operation, the frame 26 may of course be easily removed Y 'from the side supports 25." Allithat isnecessary is to -rnovethe frame forwardly to the position shown in brok# en lines in FGURE 5 and thenlift the front of the frame upwardly in a rocking movement about the rear stops V3e' 4until the stops 32 clear the fronts 3o of the wire supor other operator, of thebroiler as is illustrated most clearly .in FG- f ports 2); VThe frame is then easily withdrawn forwardly from within the space l5. l f

When the frame is again installed within the cooking VVspace 16 'the above procedure is merelyv reversed. Then, with the frame in. the forward 'Supportedposition as shown by the vFIGURES,broken lines, the spit 38 is again ,loaded with foodtto be cooked andrplaced on the frame in tbe position shown inthe FIGURE 5 broken lines.

yIn this position tile lever 40' is in .the position illustratedV i -att51 with the forward end of the lever engaging the end depression 43. VThe frame with the lspit `and food p thereon is then pushedV rearwardly as far as it will go until ,'Wardlyof the cooking space for easy Vaccess with greatly 1j food .for the rotisserie itself, as both areeasily withdrawn y flessen'ed danger of the cook burning'liear hand-s or arms (while removing .the food. Thus, it is not lnecessary that lvides means by which the cooked food may be drawn forase mentv transversely to saidopening and' engaging said food engaging member and cooperating with the frame to support said food engaging member; and Vdriving means normally adjacent said frame forrotating said food engaging member, s id movable means being movable on said rame to move said food engaging member transversely to said opening into andout of engagement with said drivingtmeans, said movable means having `an operating portion accessible at said opening. l

3. Food supporting apparatus for cooking, comprising: a fname; a rotatable food engaging member; movable means mount-ed on said frame engaging said food engaging .memberV and cooperating with the frame to support said lfood engaging member; driving means normally adjacent said frame for rotating said food engaging member, said movable means being movable on lsaid irarn'e to move said food engaging member into and out :of engagement with vsaid driving means; shoulder meansjonV said frame engageable by said movable means for retaining said food engaging member in engagement with said fdriving means; and second shoulder means on said frame engagable by Said movable means for retaining lsaid food .engaging member out of engagement With'said driving means.

4. Food supporting apparatus for cooking, comprising: a frame'having side members; a rotatable food engaging memberydriving means normally adjacent said fname for rotating said food engaging member; means on said frame supporting one end Yof saidV food engaging member ior rotational and ygenerally axial movement; a lever on said Vframe supporting an opposite end of said food engaging member; means movably mounting said lever on a side member; andrmeans unit-ing said food engaging member Yand lever forpaxial'movement of, said food engaging memjber into and out orflengagernent withV said driving means uponrmovement of Vsaid. lever.

' 5. In -a cooking unit having meansdeining a cooking space accessible through aV front opening fand including 'a pair of opposite side VVVWalls and a rear fwall, food supporting apparatus, comprising: a frame having side members jincludinga pairV of said member normally adjacent said vshereacli .into the heated cooking space Yto remove tne into readily accessible positions. ,l Iliaving described-my invention as ment,V shown in the accompanying drawings, it is my -intentionithatV theinvention vbe not limited by any of the r l details of description, unless otherwise specied, but rather betfconlstruedv broadly :within its spirit and V*scope* `as set out L'itlreaccompanying claims. l 'fI, daim:

, `Lflfood supporting;apparatusiorgcooking, 4comprising: v means detininga chamber" having 4an access opening forVV l'ginsiertion" and. Withdnawal of food relative to the cham:-V

vber; a Vframe in said licharnber; a rotatablefood Vengaging i member supported lonV said frame;'driving means lnormaladjacent saidfrarne Vforjrotating'said 'food 'engaging "member, the food engagingmember beingmovablerelative to said frame into and out olV engagement with said i driving means; and movable Vmeans mounted on said fname for movement'transversely toysaid (opening and engaging said vfoodengaging member for moving said food engaging member intoA and out of vengagement with said .driving means upon" movement -of said movable means,

Vfs'aid'Y movable means having an operating portion Vlacces- Y sible at saidopening 2'. Food Asupporting apparatus fory cooking, comprising:

"means delining a chamber having an` access opening for insertion :and Withdrawal of food relative to the chamber; ,'aframe'in said chamber; a rotatable food engaging member; movable means mounted onsaid frame for moveinnesto the einbeei- 'Y Y Tiri-gv apparatus, jcompr'ising; airain-1e having Vside members sidewalls; means at said sidewalls for supporting said V'sideV members and thus said ,frame for movement between arearpositionsvithin said space and a projectiugforward position; 1a rotatable food engaging member; driving means adjacent one otsaid side Walls for'rotating said food engaging member; means `onsaid frame'supportingone endv of said food engaging member for rotational movement; a lever on said ramesupporting an opposite end'of said Vfood engagin'y member; Yrncans movably vmounting said lever on aside member; and means uniting said yfood engaging member andrlever for axial movement lof said 'food engaging member into -andout of engagement with said drivinfy means upon movement of said lever. j

6, lnY a cooking unit having'means ldefining a cooking space accessible,through an access Aopening and including a pair of opposite-side Walls/and are'arfwall, food supportadjacent said side walls, said rear wallandsaid access openingfrneans at saidside, walls for Vsupportingsaid 'side members and thus said frame formovement lbetween a v v rear positionrwithin said space and a projecting forward position; a rotatable food enga-ging member; driving means F at one of saidV side walls for rot-ating said food engaging member; means'formingarppart of said side member that iis adjacent said one Wallfor rotatablyv supporting 'one end of said food engagingmemben a lever o-seill'atably `mounted on theV Vside member that isV adjacent said rear Y Wall Vand engaging the side member that is adjacent said access opening supporting the opposite end of said food engaging member; Yand means uniting said toodengaging member and lever for axial movement of said food engaging member into and out of engagement with-said driving means upon movement of said lever.

7. The supporting apparatus of claim 6 wherein means are provided on said side member :that is Iadjacent said access opening for selectively releasably retaining said lever in one position wherein said food engaging member is in engagement with said driving means and in a second position wherein said member is out of said engagement 5 References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Pirz Ian. 3, 1956 Culligan Feb. 4, 1958 More Aug. 19, 1958 Fritz Mal'. 8, 1960 v Wolske -May 23, 1961 

1. FOOD SUPPORTING APPARATUS FOR COOKING, COMPRISING: MEANS DEFINING A CHAMBER HAVING AN ACCESS OPENING FOR INSERTION AND WITHDRAWAL OF FOOD RELATIVE TO THE CHAMBER; A FRAME IN SAID CHAMBER; A ROTATABLE FOOD ENGAGING MEMBER SUPPORTED ON SAID FRAME; DRIVING MEANS NORMALLY ADJACENT SAID FRAME FOR ROTATING SAID FOOD ENGAGING MEMBER, THE FOOD ENGAGING MEMBER BEING MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID FRAME INTO AND OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID DRIVING MEANS; AND MOVABLE MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME FOR MOVEMENT TRANSVERSELY TO SAID OPENING AND ENGAGING SAID FOOD ENGAGING MEMBER FOR MOVING SAID FOOD ENGAGING MEMBER INTO AND OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID DRIVING MEANS UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID MOVABLE MEANS, SAID MOVABLE MEANS HAVING AN OPERATING PORTION ACCESSIBLE AT SAID OPENING. 